MCM wows Tokyo with nine-storey flagship

German luxury brand MCM is celebrating its newest, largest and most spectacular flagship store yet in Tokyo, Japan. This interactive space, called GINZA HAUS I in honour of its five-star location in the city's high-end Ginza shopping district, spans nine floors - complete with a VIP lounge, cafe and performance space.

“1976 BERLIN pioneered the journey, and GINZA HAUS I continues its efforts to establish creative hubs around the world,” said MCM’s Chief Visionary Officer Sung-Joo Kim, who was present at this historic milestone in the company's 43-year history, along with other VIPs and fashionistas.

The pictures below are worth a thousand words:

MCM's iconic backpacks inside the new GINZA HAUS I flagship

The VIP lounge

At the hi-tech launch event with CGI influencer Noonoouri

Fluoro fashion at MCM

MCM GINZA HAUS I in Tokyo

Inside MCM's huge Tokyo flagship

At the opening party

Bacardi tops reputable company chart in 2019

Family-owned Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, has been named among the most reputable companies in the world, as part of the annual Global RepTrak 100 list compiled by the Reputation Institute (RI) and published in Forbes. 

Ranked at 87, Bacardi climbed two spots and has made the annual global list seven consecutive times. 

Based on more than 230,000 individual ratings collected in the first quarter of 2019, the annual survey is the largest corporate reputation study of its kind, and provides comparative rankings, demographic trends, and unique insights into the dynamics behind reputational impact. 

The global study shows what drives trust including ethical behaviour, fairness, product value and transparency while identifying behaviours including intent to purchase a company’s products, willingness to invest in, or even work for, the company.

“Consumers are at the heart of everything we do at Bacardi as we are all about bringing people together, in real life, to celebrate moments that matter. It is rewarding to know that once again, consumers recognise us for being a good corporate citizen,” said Mahesh Madhavan, CEO, Bacardi Limited.

“I raise my glass to our talented teams across the world, as they are the driving force behind the positive impact on the communities in which we operate.”

Campari spritzes the Americas with Aperol

Campari's travel retail team has big ambitions for the Americas region with its fashionable aperitif brand Aperol.

“Aperol is a key strategic focus for the Americas and we are growing distribution fast, right across South America and the US, with several marketing activations in key airports, as well as border stores and on cruise ships," said Diego Lord, Regional Director Americas, Campari Global Travel Retail. 

“We are building on the continued global growth and appetite for Aperol. This iconic Italian brand also resonates with several consumer trends, especially the desire for great tasting lower alcohol drinks, as well as the aperitif moment and weekend brunch to share and enjoy with friends.” 

A recent Aperol bar installation at Atlanta Airport

Speaking about the potential for the brand in the cruise sector, he continued: “In the cruise market, for example, Aperol works at the pool, in the bar, for welcoming cocktails and in the destination Italian restaurants that are a feature of most cruise ships. Aperol therefore creates opportunities for our retail customers to increase sales by recruiting new younger consumers, both men and women, looking for drinks to suit a wide range of occasions.”

Whisky is also a key focus for the company in the Americas, as Charles Roullet, Marketing Director Global Travel Retail, explained: “We are partnering with retailers to expand distribution for Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky to keep pace with growing consumer demand and bring new news to the category. As more people discover its delicate and elegant nature and the overall accessibility of the multi-award-winning Glen Grant 10yo – voted Best Single Malt for the last six consecutive years in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible Awards – they are motivated to come back and explore the rest of the prestigious range,” he said.